title: RNA self-processing: formation of cyclic species and concatemers from a small engineered RNA.
abstract: We have engineered a self-processing RNA, derived from the hairpin ribozyme that runs through a cascade of cleavage and ligation reactions thereby changing its topology. The first two cleavage events leave the resulting RNA with a 5'-OH group and a 2',3'-cyclic phosphate. Thus, upon refolding, intramolecular ligation delivers a cyclic species. In addition, we demonstrate formation of concatemers resulting from multiple intermolecular ligations. Our results demonstrate the potential of RNA for self-supported topology changes and support the suggestion of 2',3'-cyclic phosphates being suitable activated building blocks for reversible phosphodiester bond formation in the RNA world.
authors.affiliation: Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald, Institut für Biochemie, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17487 Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Petkovic
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Müller
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional
chemical_list: D012313:RNA
keywords: Cleavage; Ligation; Nucleic acid; RNA; Ribozyme; Self-processing